Unemployed or displaced workers and Veterans can update their skills or learn new, in-demand skills that lead to good jobs. If you’re eligible, you may also qualify for financial support through a state-funded grant.

Regular Hours

Drop-In Hours

Contacts

Worker Retraining

This program is designed to help unemployed or displaced workers update their skills or learn new, in-demand skills that lead to good jobs. If you’re eligible, you may also qualify for short term financial support through this state-funded grant.

Who could qualify? Individuals who:

Were laid off or have received a layoff notice.

Receive or are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Have exhausted unemployment benefits within the last four years.

Were self-employed but closed a business due to economic conditions.

Have been discharged from the Armed Forces within the last four years.

Active duty received separation papers from the military.

Lives or works, or has lived or worked, in a county declared a disaster area at the time of a disaster within the last 24 months, and whose employment situation was impacted by the disaster.

Qualify as a displaced homemaker:

An individual who has been providing unpaid services to a family member(s) in the home and who:

Has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and

Is unemployed or underemployed, and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.

Qualify as a vulnerable worker:

A currently employed individual who requires retraining and meets two of the following three criteria:

Is employed in an occupation that is listed as "not in demand" on the region’s Demand-Decline List.

Has not yet reached the "tipping point", of one year (45 credits) and a certificate or degree related to their college coursework.

Is unable to meet new skill standards of current employment without retraining.

WRT is intended to be start-up or bridge funding, to get you enrolled and started in your program, or provide financial support during a time when other resources are not available. Recipients may receive:

Funds to cover tuition and books (may not cover 100%) during your first quarter at BTC. Additional program book costs may be covered contingent on WRT funding levels.

You may be eligible for waitlist priority — ask the Worker Retraining Coordinator to see if you qualify.

Assistance coordinating with other agencies, programs and funding sources to pay for the rest of your program, and to keep you in good standing with Employment Security if you receive unemployment benefits.

If you are facing layoff and have not opened our UI claim, please contact the Worker Retraining Coordinator in advance to registering at BTC for important information.

How to Apply

Contact Kori Olsen by email KOlsen@btc.edu or by calling 360-752-8492.

Learn more about Worker Retraining

Schedule an appointment with BTC Worker Retraining Coordinator by email wrt@btc.edu or by calling 360-752-8492.

Questions about unemployment?

Meet with an Employment Security Representative by appointment by calling 360-752-8492 or

Drop-ins Wednesday 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Learn more about other funding options:

WorkSource scholarships for dislocated workers of up to 2 years may also be available for students already admitted to a program of study in a high demand field—be sure to ask about this if you are admitted to your program (prerequisites are completed).

Regular Hours

Contacts

Passport to College Promise Scholarship for Former Foster Youth

Through the Passport to College Promise Scholarship program, students receive a scholarship that assists with the cost of attending college (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses), and specialized support services from a college staff member.

Eligible students may receive up to $1,500 per quarter in financial assistance. Passport students also may opt-in for personalized help and support services from the College Success Foundation.

Passport serves former foster youth who:

Spend at least one year in foster care in Washington state after their 16th birthday

Emancipate from care on or after January 1, 2007

Enroll at least half-time in an eligible college by their 22nd birthday